Baetis nymphs are a bit like Superman on Kryptonite when it comes time to emerge. Rather than swimming to the surface like a bat-out-of-hell they just float to the surface buoyed by a layer of gas beneath their exoskeleton. Trapped by surface tension they float just below the water surface before popping their wing case and emerging. What fly imitates Baetis nymphs in this vulnerable stage? Why the WD40 of course.
Keys to Tying a WD-40 Fly Pattern
As shown to us by Aaron Jasper of Trout Predator Online, one of the most important aspects of tying the WD-40 is maintaining a slim profile. A tapered thread body helps to keep this super fly slim and looking good from all angles. The WD-40 is often tied in varying shades of gray, olive and brown to match the several dozens of Baetid species that exist.
Baetis Floating Nymphs
Baetis (a.k.a Blue-Winged Olives) are among the fastest swimming nymphs and can move at speeds rivaling that of some small fish. They can move like a speeding bullet by locking their tails together and forming a paddle of sorts as shown in last week's video clip from the Bug's of the Underworld. Unfortunately, our little BWO friends lose this ability when they need it most - when it is time to emerge and make that long trek to the water surface.
How to Fish a WD 40 Fly
The WD 40 fly is effective in the surface film, just under the surface, swept up from the deeper zones or on a dead drift mimicking the Baetis nymph behavior just prior to emergence. Early in a hatch you might fish a multi-fly or tandem rig with a larger weighted nymph and later trail a WD 40 off a dry dropper rig.
Regardless of how you fish it, don't over look the simple looking WD-40, it's the Clark Kent of baetis floating nymph imitations!
Enjoy!
p.s. This video is one in a series on Baetis fly patterns including deep nymphs, floating nymphs, emergers, cripples, duns, wet flies and spinners.
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This is one pattern that is a staple and go-to fly in Rocky Mtn. waters and the west.
I keep dozens of these tied at all times in varying color tints and sizes.
Thanks for sharing
Wyotyer, glad to hear that pattern works out west too. It is a killer pattern on the streams here on the east coast.
Any folks using this pattern across the pond?